And eeinhold boek



`No Model.)

R. POTTER 8v R. BOEKLEN.

APPARATUS FOR GL'NBRATING ILLUMINATING GAS.

Patented Sept. 8, 1885.

2 Sheets-#Sheet `1.`

ke vl IN VENTOR wc# A l l 2Sheets-Sh-eet 2,I R. M. POTTER 8v R. BOEKLEN. APPARATUS FOR GENE-RATINGILLUMINATING GAS.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. `8, 1885.

INVBNTR UNTTED `STATES PATENT OEEIOE.

ROBERT M. POTTER, OF JERSEY CITY, NEV JERSEY, AND REINHOLD BOEK- LEN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO ISRAEL OOOK, OE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. g i

APPARATUS'FOR GENERATING ILLUMINATINGQ'GAS.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,766, dated September 8, 1885.

Application filed June 23, 1885 (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that we, ROBERT M. POTTER and REINHOLD BOEKLEN, both citizensof the United States, said R. M. POTTER a resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, and said R. BOEKLEN a resident of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in -Apparatus for Generating Illuminating-Gas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cupola gas-generating furnace and connected apparatus, and includes novel features of constructiomwhere by the generator is made more convenient and effective in operation, and whereby the manufacture of fixed illuminating-gas is made practically continuous in a single furnace. Gas is made byV distilling bituminous coal, decomposing steam,vaporizinghydrocarbon oil, and combining and fixing the resulting gases and vapors in a heated fixing-chamber. A partial vacuum is maintained inthe generatorby the operation of an exhauster, and a small proportion of moist air is thereby drawn into the furnace to keep up combustion of fuel near the/grate while the coal above is being distilled, fresh coal being fed in continuously, or as desired, through a sealed charger, and the spent fuel being drawn off through a sealed chamber.

The novel features of the apparatus constituting our invention will be defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal central vertical section of the apparatus for generating, Xing,'

scrubbing, and exhausting and delivering the gas to the purifying apparatus according to our invention. Fig. 2 is a detached horizontal section of the cupola, the line of section being indicated by the letters a bin Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detached vertical section of several grate-bars in connection with the raking device. Fig. 4 represents a sectional eleva- Y tion of a modification of the apparatus.

A represents the generating-cupola, B, its feed-hopper; C, its grate; D, its blower; E, its

distilling, decomposing, and generating chamber; F, its fixing-chamber; G, its deliverypipe. W is a superheater and secondary fixing-chamber;` H, a scrubber, and I the gasexhauster, from which the gas may pass through a condenser and then through the purifier to`the holder, or pass directly to the purifier and then to the holder. l

The grate C is Vmade of a series of bars arranged on'a considerable inclination,as shown, to cause the coal to slide readily toward the sealed outlet J, from which,when opened, the coal is allowed to discharge into a sealed refuse-chamber, .K.

L representsA the ash-pit,which is furnished in its bottom with a water-pan, L', and it has a water-supply pipe, M, provided with a proper stop-valve. With said pan is also connected a steam-supply pipe, N, and an airsupply pipe, O, both furnished with proper stop-valves, and the steam-pipealso with a drippipe and cock for drawing Off, when required, the condensation of the steam. Said pan may be also supplied over it with a seal to close its communication with the ash-pit L during the time required 'for removing the ashes from said pan, for which pnrposesaid pan is provided with a proper seal or door, P, and the ash-pit with a branch steam-pipe, N, from the pipe N, and with a proper stopvalvein said branch to furnish,when required, steam in the aslrpit. Under the grate-bars C C` are arranged several lateral raking-shafts, C, upon each of'which are employed several raking-cams Q, Q; each cam having a strong hub held permanent upon its shaft, and from its hub are one or more projecting cam-arms, Q', which pass in the airspaces between the grate-bars into the coall above, so that by turning the shafts and the cams in proper direction the coal is moved forward toward the outletJ. i"

The feedhopper B has two bottoms, B', each provided with a quick-opening seal-door, S, for alternate opening during the feeding of coal into the cupola, and to prevent undue ad mission of air in the cupola. The opening from the hopper into the cupola is arranged at proper height above the grate to provide for a suitable bed of coal over the grate toremain.

The refuse-chamber K has the seal-door K, to afford access into it for removing the refuse coal and ashes therein accumulating during such time,wliile the seal-door J employed on the outlet J is kept closed.

Each of the seal-doors S and J is hinged to its seat, and upon a lateral shaft, T', is einployed a crank, T, which is connected by a link, S', to the back ot' the door, as shown; and said shaft projects outside and passes through a properstufng-box on the side, and is furnished on its outer end with a lever, U, for opening and closing and locking the door by setting the crank on its center, as shown.

In the upper portion of the chamber E is or are arranged one or several lateral oil retorts, V, which are made each with a iiat side built vertically in the lining of the cupola, and with a semicircular side Aprojecting into the chamber E. The cupola is constructed for each retort with a proper opening on its side for inserting or removing said. retort for repairing or substituting a new one for the same. Over each of said openings is provided a suitable cap, V', to close the same air-tight.

The interior of each retort is divided into an upper and lower compartment by a longitudinal horizontal loose tile partition, V, which commences on the front end, but terminates before meeting the rear, end of said interior space, thereby allowing a passage, V, from the lower to the upper compartment, which latter has on its forward end the discharge-opening q into the cupola or its chamber E.

c represents the oil or naphtha supply pipe. It has a branch pipe for each retort V, and each branch terminates with a horizontal oilnipple, d, passing into the front end ofthe retort., and is furnished with a proper stop-cock,

f, to regulate the supply ot' oil on its vertical part. On the rear ot' the horizontal nipple is attached asecondary stop cock, e, for the purpose of entering a rod into the nipple and clear it from soot. v

In generating the gas the oil is allowed to flow into the nipple d, which passes the oil into the lower compartment of the retort. Its vapors pass under the aforesaid partition until meeting the passage V, and from it the vapor passes through the upper compartment and discharges from the opening q into the chamber E.

rIhe top of the chamber E is arched, as shown, and has a large central outlet, F, upward into the fixing-chamber F, which is provided with several tile shelves, F, arranged above one another, with spaces between and having connecting openings y, causing a zigzag motion and alternate dividing-current of the gas passing between them, whereby the gas is fixed by their incandescent or highlyheated condition.

The generati n g-chamber E is furnished with several bulls-eves or sicht-hole fixtures X to enable the operatives to observe the condition of the interior at all times during the operation. Said chamber may be provided with additional seal-doors for access to the grate or other parts besides those now shown.

The fixing-chamber F is also arched at its top, which is provided with a central gasmain outlet, Y, over which the vertical pipe Z is employed to connect said outlet with the gas-delivery pipe G. Said pipe Z has an open top covered by a seal-door, 11which is opened while the re is being blown up and renewed by means of the lever z' and rod j from the fioor. A secondary lever, Je, is employed to lock and unlock said door h, which is hinged to its seat and connected by a link, l, with the lever t'. rIhe lever 7c has a short arm with a frictionroller, m, passing over an inclined rib on the upper side of the door and pressing the same home upon its seat. The long arm of the lever has a rod suspended on it to operate the same from the floor. Y

All sealdoors are made with a circular groove, n, facing the door-seat and properly packed with asbestus packing for closing tightly with facility upon their seats.

The delivery-pipe G is furnished near the cupola with a proper gate-valve, o, for closing its connection with the cupola any time'required. In small gas-works, and with frequent blowing up of the i'ire, the Xing-chamber-F may be kept sufciently hot or incandescent to iiX the gas, and the pipe G may directly deliver the gas to the scrubber H, and from it the same may directly pass to t-hc exhauster I; or it may pass prior to the eXhauster through a proper condenser, H. In larger' works, or when generating long periods before blowing up the fire, it is far preferable to (shown in Fig. 4,) into which the gas-delivery pipe G conducts the gas from the cupola. Said superheater is constructed with a Vertical furnace containing a vertical retort, W. Said furnace has an ash-pit, p, a grate, 1', and is properly lined with fire-brick, and at the side, near its top, is connected its tlue or chimney s. A proper space for the heated products of combustion is made between its lining and the periphery of the retort, which may be made entirely of tire-clay; but it is preferred to have it made of metal and covered with reclay, as shown, allowing a fair space between the metal and clay cover for expansion of the metal within the cover. The top of the retort joins the pipe G with a flange. The clay part ot' the retort has a large shoulder on its top end, which rests upon the top of the furnace. The lower end of the retort has a throat, t, to rest in the lining of the furnace, and the horizontal metal throat within is properly united with the vertical metal retort, and also with the metal side of the furnace, which has outside from said throat a pipe, u, to connect with the scrubber or a condenser, II. Several lateral dues, c, are made in the gas very rapidly, or withY ICO employ a superheater, WV,

retort, as shown, to fully super-heat the gas passing them.' From the pipe G the gas passes down in the metal retort W, where it becomes well fixed, and t-hen passes through the throat portion and pipe u into the condenser or scrubber, whichever preferred, and from there to the eXhauster, by which the same is expedited to the purifiers and holder.

The apparatus is furnished with pressuregages and test-lights, as usual.

Operation: Either when a' new fire is started or the fire requires blowing up in the cupola, the gate ois closed, the oil-cooks f closed, and the seal-door h is opened. With steam from the pipe N the gas, if any, in the cupola is readily expelled. The blower D is set in operation, and A:its valve connecting the blast with the cupola is opened. While the fire is being blown up, the water-pan L is supplied by the pipe M. The hopper B is also supplied and its doors are closed. After the coal-bed in the cupola is properly lighted and the larger part has become properly heated the blower and its Valve are stopped and closed. A charge of coal from the hopper is admitted, the seal-door 7L is closed, the valve o is opened, and the cocks f f are a little opened, the fire in the superheater W is properly in operation, and the water is flowing in the scrubber, the exhauster I is set in mot-ion, and all its valves, with the by-pass, are opened. The oil-cocks fare now opened more fully. By the pipe O a limited supply of air is admitted in the water of the pan L. By the bulls7 -eyes X the condition of the fire is observed. By the testlights the supply of oil is regulated with proper observation. `By means of the vacuum and pressuregages the speed ofthe exhauster is guided and sufficient vacuum is allowed in the cupola to sparingly supply the fire with air and keep it from dying fast. A little steam is also supplied in the chamber L, and said vacuum is also sufficient to draw off the gas as rapidly as generated. Said fire is kept alive; but as soon as the volatile property of the lower part of the coal-bed has been distilled and exhausted, which is readily perceived by the observation through the bullseyes X, thev door J is opened, and by assist-ance with the rakers the spent coal is discharged into the chamber K and the door J closed again.4 From the hopper, by alternate opening and closing the doors S S, fresh coal is supplied, and this operation continues until the fire requires blowing up for a considerable time.

The chamber' K may be cleaned out during the generation of the gas, and also water,

steam, and air in limited quantities may be.

furnished in the pan L' during generation.

After the fire has too much deadened the air-cock is stopped, the steam-cock is more fully opened, the Valve ois closed and the door h is opened, and by the steam the remaining gas is expelled. the oil-cocks having been previously stopped. The exhauster and its valves are also stopped simultaneously with the valve o, and the blower and air-valve to the cupola are opened and set in motion, as before described. i

The striking advantages in this process are that the generation of the gas is done under partial vacuuni,and therefore very rapid; that a large amount of carbureted `hydrogen is obtained from the coal-distillation. and therefore less oil required to carburet the hydrogen; that by the long periods of generation a great deal of gas now wasted with shortpcriods issaved.

The object of the rakers is mainly'to forward all refuse coal and loosen clinkers toward the discharge of the grate.

Having fully described our invention, what we desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination with acupola gas-generator, the continuous fuel feeder or charger, the inclined grate, and a sealed dischargechamber for spent fuel arranged and operating as described. Y

2. The combination, in a cupola for generating gas, of a sealed coal-feeder, a sealed discharge-chamber with a water-receptacle, and a fixing-chamber, an air-inlet pipe opening into such receptacle, and a Xing-chamber, substantially as herein described. y

3. In combination with the cupola-generator, the sealed coalfeeder, the sealed discharge-chamber,the oil-vaporizing retorts arranged in the walls of the cupola, a xingchamber, and a separate superheater for the generated gas, substantially as herein described. Y

4. In a gas apparatus, the combination of the cupola-furnace having an air-inlet pipe and means for vaporiaing oil with a superheater, V, and its retort Wand gas-exhaust-` er, substantially1 as and forthe purpose herein set forth. 1

5. In a gas-generatingcupola-furnace, the combination of the ash-pit, its Water-receptacle, and an air-supply pipe opening into it, with the inclined grate, the rakers or spent- IOO coal forwarders, the scaled inlets for coal, and

sealed outlets for refuse coal and ashes, substantially as herein described. Y

6. In combination with a cupola gas-generator, the sealed continuous fuel feeder or charger, the inclined grate, the rakers secured below such grate, and a sealed dischargechamber for refuse arranged at the lower end of such grate, for the purpose described.

7. In a gas-generating cupola, the'inclined grate and rakers, a sealed outlet and a sealed refuse-chamber arranged at the lower end of the grate, in combination with a doublesealed fuel-supply hopper, a distilling-chamber, and oil-vaporizing retorts, substantially as herein set forth.

8. In a gas-generator, the combination of the inclined grate, the sealed fuelsupply hopper, and the sealed outlet, arrangedhasdescribed, with the oil-vaporizing retorts, and a y fixing-chamber provided with tile shelves arranged as described, for the purpose set forth.

9. The cupola gas-generator having horipresence oftwo Witnesses,t'hisZZddayofJune, zontzil openings in its side Walls, in combina 1885.

tion with the removable oil gaS-gener'aing 11e- A ROBERT M. POTTER. torts secured in such sidewall Openings, for REINHOLD BOEKLEN. 5 the purpose desurihed. Vtnesses:

In testimony that we claim the foregoingns JAMES CHAPMAN,

our invention We have signed our nainesI n J. D. MANNING. 

